The 2026 NAPIM Annual Convention & Technical Conference took place October 5–8 at the voco Chicago Downtown in Chicago, Illinois, bringing together printing ink industry leaders, technical professionals, suppliers, and innovators for four days of education, networking, collaboration, and industry recognition.

This year’s event marked an exciting milestone for NAPIM, welcoming nearly 200 attendees—our largest conference turnout in years! The impressive participation reflects the continued strength, engagement, and commitment of the printing ink industry. From longtime members and industry veterans to new faces and emerging professionals, the energy and enthusiasm throughout the conference made this year’s gathering especially memorable.

This year’s conference featured a comprehensive program designed to address the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities facing the printing ink industry. Attendees gained valuable insights through expert-led presentations, interactive discussions, and technical sessions covering a wide range of topics, including economic trends, regulatory developments, ink migration, raw materials, advancements in color pigments, artificial intelligence in research and development, and emerging technologies.

The Annual Convention provided opportunities for industry professionals to discuss business trends, exchange ideas, and explore strategies for navigating an evolving marketplace. Meanwhile, the Technical Conference offered in-depth educational sessions focused on technical innovation, product development, environmental health and safety, and regulatory compliance. The program also featured the prestigious Lawter Lecture Series, highlighting research and innovation within the industry.

Beyond the educational sessions, attendees had numerous opportunities to strengthen professional relationships and establish new connections through networking receptions, supplier showcases, tabletop exhibits, and informal discussions. With nearly 200 industry professionals in attendance, the conference provided an exceptional opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, develop new partnerships, and exchange ideas that will help shape the future of the industry.

A highlight of the event was the annual Awards Reception and Dinner, where NAPIM recognized individuals for their outstanding contributions and dedication to the printing ink industry. To see the award winners from this year, click here.

Hear What Our Attendees Had to Say!

• “The NAPIM Convention provides an excellent opportunity to network with industry colleagues, learn about the latest developments, and find solutions to your unique problem.”
• “Attending the NAPIM Annual Convention and Technical Conference 2026 in Chicago was an exceptional and rewarding experience. The convention provided a valuable platform to exchange technical knowledge, explore emerging technologies, discover innovative solutions, and connect with leading professionals and industry experts from across the printing ink industry. As an industrial researcher and innovation leader, I found the event highly inspiring, particularly its emphasis on sustainability, advanced materials, and the future of printing ink technologies.  I strongly encourage industry professionals, researchers, and business leaders to attend NAPIM 2027. It is more than a conference—it is a platform where knowledge, innovation, collaboration, and future business opportunities come together.”
• “As someone new to the industry, the NAPIM convention was a great learning experience both in and out of the lab. The presentations are engaging with a mixture of technical science and research with regulations and economic information that gave me a bigger picture of the impact my work is doing. The people encourage inexperienced people in the industry to learn, grow, and challenge themselves to understand more about the science behind ink manufacturing and printing. Breakfast/Lunch networking during the convention leads into natural connections between you and others from companies all over the world. I highly recommend this and the NAPIM summer learning course to be experienced by everyone in the industry at least once. “